Chelsea have reportedly finalized an agreement to sign French star Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace.
The defender is scheduled to undergo his medical on Friday prior to signing his contract.
As per David Ornstein, Chelsea and Crystal Palace have settled on a £52 million fee for the 26-year-old defender.
The UEFA Conference League champions initially sought over £60 million for their prized player but have consented to a reduced amount.
Lacroix expressed a strong desire to transfer to Stamford Bridge, despite interest from other clubs. The center-back is regarded as the perfect addition to Xabi Alonso’s squad as the Spaniard seeks to make his impact on the team.
In addition to the Crystal Palace star, Chelsea had also considered Jacobo Ramon for the summer transfer window. However, they prioritised the Frenchman due to his experience in the Premier League.
The Frenchman will not immediately join the squad at Cobham, as he requires three weeks away from football following the extended season. He was part of the French national team that reached the semifinals of the tournament.
This transfer raises questions about the future of Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, and Mamadou Sarr at the club, as the new signing will elevate his position in the hierarchy.
Lacroix becomes the second signing of the week for Chelsea, following the acquisition of Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa. The club invested a staggering £117 million for the Englishman, outbidding Arsenal, who had been pursuing a deal since the beginning of the summer.
Lacroix will be the third signing for the Men’s first team this summer, joining Marco Palestra and Rogers.
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso acknowledged that he was preparing for pre-season without the players participating in the World Cup. He noted that they were aware of the extended season for certain players even before their arrival at the club.